Exotic parrots dead; Highlands woman charged

A 19 year old Congo African grey parrot is seen in this file photo. A 22-year-old Highlands woman is facing 10 animal cruelty charges after authorities learned that five exotic African grey parrots found dead in her home perished as a result of lack of food and water.
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ASBURY PARK PRESS FILE PHOTO
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HIGHLANDS – A 22-year-old borough woman is facing 10 animal cruelty charges after authorities learned that five exotic African grey parrots found dead in her home perished as a result of lack of food and water.

Beth M. Devereaux of Huddy Avenue was charged Friday with two counts of animal cruelty for each dead bird — one for failing to provide food and water to the animals and another for failing to properly care for them, said Victor “Buddy” Amato, chief law enforcement officer for the Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Highlands police were summoned to Devereaux’s home on June 27 by someone who reported a problem at the residence, Amato said. Highlands Detective Anthony Macri went there and found the birds dead, according to police.

“Somebody complained the birds had died and they suspected foul play,” Amato said.

At the direction of SPCA officials, the parrots were taken to the Red Bank Animal Hospital for a necropsy to determine the cause of their deaths, Amato said. It was determined they died as a result of lack of food and water, he said.

The chief said the birds’ cages were “dry as a bone and had hardly any fecal matter at the bottom.”

He said it indicated the parrots weren’t being fed. They were kept in a dusty room with no ventilation, which could be why they dehydrated so easily, Amato said.

“There was no air conditioning and the windows were all closed,” he said.

Amato did not know the age of the birds.

“For some reason, which we haven’t determined, she just gave up on the animals,” the chief said.

Devereaux was released on her own recognizance after being charged, pending a hearing in municipal court on July 22, Amato said. She could face fines of $1,000 for each animal cruelty charge, if she is convicted, as well as a possible six-month jail term, he said.

African grey parrots, which are able to talk, grow up to one foot on height and often live longer than humans.